The Kirkus Prize is one of the richest literary awards in the world, with a prize of $50,000 bestowed annually to authors of fiction, nonfiction and young readers’ literature. It was created to celebrate the 81 years of discerning, thoughtful criticism Kirkus Reviews has contributed to both the publishing industry and readers at large. Books that earned the Kirkus Star with publication dates between November 1, 2015, and October 31, 2016 (see FAQ for exceptions), are automatically nominated for the 2016 Kirkus Prize, and the winners will be selected on November 3, 2016, by an esteemed panel composed of nationally respected writers and highly regarded booksellers, librarians and Kirkus critics.

KIRKUS REVIEW

Spinner’s stories are of the inventive bedtime variety about family, as told by six-and-half-year-old Owen Block’s grandmother. After each evening of Hanukkah festivities, Grandma tells Owen a story, like the one about the girl whose brother was supposed to be a rabbi, but who moved to Alaska to study wolves instead. Owen realizes the girl sounds a lot like Cousin Shira, who was the one in the family to become a rabbi. Each wacky story is about Owen’s relatives—with the possible exception of the one about the aliens. And as Uncle Izzie, the class clown who grew up to be the comedian, says, “You never know, kid.” McElmurry’s light-hearted illustrations match the text’s tone. So, for instance, the words say Grandma “kicked off her shoes” and the picture focuses on her cowboy boots. Delightfully funny and touching. (afterword, blessings, glossary) (Picture book. 4-8)

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